Clyburn scholarship established at Arnold School

The James E. Clyburn Research and Scholarship Foundation is giving $100,000 to the University of South Carolina to establish an endowed scholarship in public health, USC officials announced Tuesday (Oct. 12).

The James E. and Emily E. Clyburn Public Health Endowed Scholarship Fund will help students enrolled in the five-year, dual-degree program at USC and Claflin University in Orangeburg. The program allows undergraduate students at Claflin to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in public health from the Arnold School of Public Health at USC.

“Throughout his career, Congressman Clyburn has dedicated himself to addressing healthcare disparities in the state of South Carolina and has served as a leading proponent for public health education in the United States,” USC President Harris Pastides said. “This endowed scholarship in public health will serve as a lasting and appropriate legacy for Jim and Emily Clyburn.”

The dual-degree program, also known as the “4 + 1 Program,” is designed to develop public health professionals from under-represented populations who are pursuing careers to address health disparities.

“Emily and I are thrilled that our foundation can make this contribution to get this endowment started and we are pleased to have it named in our honor. It reflects our commitment to reducing health disparities and improving public health for all South Carolinians,” Clyburn said. “I thank Dr. Pastides for his vision and USC and Claflin University for partnering on this project.”

Clyburn said the effort between USC and Claflin is a further example of the type of cooperation and regionalism that can improve the state. The dual-degree program, which will increase the number of public health professionals working in South Carolina, will help prevent some of the health issues that plague the state, he said.

“So much of what ails people in South Carolina can be prevented,” Clyburn said.

Claflin University President Henry N. Tisdale said the dual degree between his university and USC’s Arnold School of Public Health is an innovative program that fits into the school’s long-range plan.

“Within that plan we have a commitment, a strategic initiative, to continue to build on and strengthen programs that serve the critical needs of our state and the nation,” Tisdale said.